Is religion outdated?

21 November 2017

Opinion

Dylan Zardain
Writer

Is religion outdated?

Regardless of your own faith or beliefs, there is no denying that religion has been a major influence on human societies since the beginning of time and continues to be to this day. Religion continues to dictate the foods people eat, the choices they make, and how they spend their free time.

Ultimately, how one chooses to spend their life is their prerogative. However, with all the conflict and crisis that our world sees today as a result of religious views (like the recent Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey and the copious amount of “no” voters fighting to protect their “religious views”), we must ask ourselves if religion has outstayed its welcome.

I have always viewed religion as an early form of “science” — a way for our ancestors to explain the mysterious world around them before they had the technology to discover the actual explanations for themselves. Today, however, religion seems to be at the centre of much conflict, some defending it until their dying breath, and others bashing it relentlessly. Although I do not have issues with those who partake in religious practices or with religious groups in general, I am concerned when religion is able to dictate the lives of those who do not share or hold religious views.

It has always seemed unfair to me that religion still holds, to this day, such a prominent role in politics and governance. It is not necessary or efficient for laws and policies to be made based on outdated religious views in a time and country that is filled with such a vast array of people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Why is it that one’s own contentment should be tarnished due to the religious beliefs of another person?

It is not out of fear or anger that I propose that religion may be far outdated, but out of concern for the happiness and wellbeing of humanity. As humans we should not segregate ourselves according to religion. We all wish to be happy and to live in peace, but this is an impossible goal if we continue to have the hand of religion in our laws and decision-making.

Whether one is a Christian, Muslim, Jew or Buddhist, I propose that we should see others as fellow humans regardless of our religious views. With the marriage law survey returning a “yes” vote, I believe that we can move forward and see past these religious barriers to secure the happiness of all human beings, as we all deserve equal opportunities to flourish in this world that we share.